Cars and trucks may be the stars of the show, but there are plenty of other things to see and do

by
Greg Williams | March 11, 2016

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CALGARY — It’s full speed ahead at the 36th annual Calgary International Auto and Truck Show on now at the BMO Centre at Stampede Park.

Filled with the latest vehicles from every major automaker, the doors to the facility opened on Wednesday. Don’t worry, though, there’s still plenty of time to take in the event as it continues today through Sunday. Hours are 10 a.m. to 10 p.m. Friday and Saturday, and 10 a.m. to 6 p.m. Sunday.

Cars and trucks may be the stars of the show, but there are plenty of other things to see and do. Here’s a rundown of what else to look forward to.

For starters, there’s the GMC ride and drive event. There are 12 vehicles available to test drive with three from each brand — Buick, Cadillac, Chevrolet and GMC. Sign up to participate for the drive at the GM display at the back of Hall B.

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Many giveaways are available, with nightly draws for limited edition posters and various other prizes, including tools from Snap On – ballot boxes are located at main show entrances.

If there are youngsters in your household, there are activities for them, too.

According to the Calgary Motor Dealers Association executive manager Jim Gillespie, there are free Hot Wheels cars to the first 40 kids through the doors each day. Also, Subaru is providing colouring books and crayons, while a children’s themed scavenger hunt takes place daily.

Kids both young and old won’t want to miss the display set up by the Calgary Kart Racing Club. Established in the early 1960s, the CKRC offers racing enthusiasts a structured opportunity to learn about motorsports on their purpose-built North Star Raceway track at the Strathmore Motorsport Park, just east of the town of Strathmore.

Along with regular practice sessions the CKRC organizes approximately 10 sprint races throughout the season, and one endurance race.

The University of Calgary’s Solar Car Team is on hand in the foyer of the BMO Centre. They’re looking beyond internal combustion as a form of motive power, and are here showcasing their ideas about vehicles and alternative energy.

The Schulich Delta, the team’s fourth generation vehicle, is a practical two-door, two seat coupe with rear hatch featuring twin in-wheel direct drive rear electric motors and carbon fibre chassis and body shell. The Schulich Delta features an array of solar cells to convert the sun’s energy into go-power that’s stored in batteries that total 61.6 kg. All-in, the Schulich Delta weighs close to 318 kg.

The team is currently designing their fifth-generation solar vehicle, and members enjoy talking about various forms of energy, vehicle aerodynamics and weight as contributing criteria in cars designed to operate under alternative power.

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Don’t miss Ford’s GT supercar simulator Sim-Zilla. This looks a bit like a six-legged hydraulic spider with large video screens attached and it moves with every driver input and includes bumps, skids and crashes.

If you’re feeling a little shaggy, there’s the opportunity to get a haircut at the Toyota/Scion booth and their Scion-style Barber Shop. Staffed by a trained stylist, all trims and cuts are courtesy of the house.

While dreaming about new vehicles, there’s something that might be a little closer to reality for men over the age of 40. To help ensure all is in good order, Calgary’s Prostate Cancer Centre will have the Man Van at the show, offering free baseline PSA blood tests as part of their ‘Get Checked’ program. The van is sponsored at the show this year by Shaganappi Motors.

Tickets for the Calgary International Auto and Truck Show are $10 for adults today, while weekend tickets are $15. Youth 11-17 are $10, and a family pass (two adults and two youths) is $38.

Greg Williams is a member of the Automobile Journalists Association of Canada (AJAC). Have a column tip? Contact him at 403-287-1067, gregwilliams@shaw.ca, or visit gregwilliams.ca